Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Heading to the Airport

We are on the cusp of everything we've talked about for 3 years! It is hard to actually believe that this is happening today. The last two days were the hard parts. We said goodbye to our families. I was reminded of the verse that says count the cost. When you sign up for something like this you don't think about the hard parts. You think about the adventure and fun parts. You think about the neat things God will do with you. We've counted the cost the last few days and I can still say, IT IS WORTH IT. People reunited with their Creator is worth it. Just as our families will miss us, our Heavenly Father misses His creation when they are separated by their sins. He is using us to help reunite His children to Himself.

Yesterday as we said goodbye to my parents I had to ask myself why we were doing this. We're doing this because we are obedient to His calling. I think God places a call upon the lives of those in ministry but you have to be further committed to His calling than just because you felt like its what He wanted. You have to do it because you are choosing obedience. When the warm fuzzy feeling disappears (and it does at some points), you need to know you aren't doing it just because it's fun or an adventure but because you are choosing to be obedient to Him. Today, we choose obedience.

This is a reminder for all of us. Everyone isn't called across the ocean, but He calls us each to be used by Him in some way to expand the Gospel. Are we ready to respond in obedience even when it is hard? Have we counted the cost?

HE IS WORTH IT.

Brennan

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Its God Month!



Well this time has arrived.  It leaves me with a some anxiousness and a lot of excitement.  Here is what the next couple months look like for Crosslink:

June:     Libby is packing, having garage sales, etc.
             Brennan is running across Iowa & Missouri completing our financial partnership team
             Visa paperwork finalization

July:      Traveling to see family before the big move

August: Final packing and preparing to wrap up life in the USA
              MOVE

I've been looking forward to June for a few different reasons. #1 We're not traveling as much this month (well, not traveling by our standards).  #2 It's a time to focus on completing our partnership team.  I said we won't be traveling, but this is only partly true.  The Caravan's wheels will still be rolling but mostly across Iowa and northern Missouri.  June will be a time that I can solely focus on making appointments with churches and potential personal partners.  This will take place within 150 mile radius our our base in Iowa and eliminating the distraction of zip zagging across the country.    #3 Completing the goal is only something God can do.

This entire journey we've been on for the last 2 years one thing has been certain: We've always been amazed at how He has worked in this journey.  This month will be no exception.  We are currently at 67% of our support.  This means we need just under $2,400/month to raise in 1 month.  Seemingly impossible, no?  But here is what He has already done: a potential supporter considering supporting 14% of our entire goal and every single Sunday in June has been booked in the last month (which I didn't really pursue to fill).

I say all that to say this: I can't wait to see how God completes our support.  I've been anticipating getting to June to watch God do what He does and to astound us on how He works.  I am confident He has called us to complete our support this month and that He'll do so at 100% of our needed support.

Will you join me in prayer as we submit ourselves to His timeline, will, and how He desires us to diligently complete this process?

Friday, March 25, 2016

Crisis and the Gospel

Before Tuesday, most people likely had no idea where Belgium even was except for maybe in Europe.  Admittedly I didn't know where Belgium was or if it was a city or a country before our survey trip in 2013.

This obviously has hit close to home for Libby and I this week.  We personally traveled through the Brussels airport in 2013 and know dozens of people that could've been there at that exact moment.  Praise the Lord that everyone that could've been there wasn't.

The migrant crisis that came to the surface of American media as of recent has been ongoing since 2013.  The strain on resources and governments has created raging debate over how to respond and handle this crisis.  With the attacks in Paris and Brussels every society is anxious to find a way to end the blood shed.

Where can hope be found in all of this suffering?  The Gospel.  In cold, hard Europe we find that the white fields of John 4:35 can be seen in these difficult times.  As these refuges arrive on the shores they arrive with questions and looking, craving for hope.  When we are prepared as the church to have people with resources behind them to show them where true hope can be found, lives are becoming radically changed.  As these horrific attacks occur, Europeans will be forced to answer a multitude of questions regarding God, life after death, religion, and the purpose of life on Earth.  They also may ask, "If these people claim the same religion as I, then why is my religion of peace murdering my friends and family?"  Doors are opened through this tragedy that Europeans and refugees alike that otherwise would not open themselves up to consider.  This is where we find that the Gospel seed can be planted.  In the book Deep & Wide, Andy Stanley identifies pivotal circumstances as one the five noted catalysts for faith.  This very situation could be labeled as such an event but we as the church must respond.  As a member of that body, what is your role?

“The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few . . ."  I urge all of us as the church not to miss the opportunity laid before us.  Let us join together to go forth in sharing the hope, love, and peace that Christ can offer this hurting continent and world.